In this world of classic drifts, as expected, it is Benjamin Ferré and “Monnoyeur-Duo for a Job” who occupy the race lead, in 14th position, 158 miles from the leader this Thursday afternoon. The Breton skipper collected the top 15 (Transat Jacques Vabre 2023, Route du Rhum 2022) with this boat, the ex – Macif winner with François Gabart of the Vendée 2012-2013 and the Rhum 2014, and again of the Rhum 2018 with Paul Meilhat .
“Benjamin sails very well with my old boat, which I think was the best sailboat at the start in 2012 and remains very efficient” emphasized Gabart before the start. Also logical is the 2nd place – 17th overall – of Jean Le Cam who chose to build a new boat but without foils and knows the way, for his 6th Vendée.
Sacred performances
Just behind, two hell of a performance. The American-New Zealander Conrad Colman is 19th with “MS Amlin”, a 2008 boat (formerly Groupe Bel), and the Rochelais Antoine Cornic 20th with the oldest boat in the fleet, “Human Immobilier”, completed in 2005.
“The weather is nice, we're starting to wear just our t-shirts,” said the skipper of the Île de Ré, when he had just passed Madeira on Thursday. “I'm going to tackle the problems of the day, two or three small leaks, a hydrogenerator problem, and a major cleaning of the boat. I kiss the sea for you!
